Methods of combined bioprocessing and related microorganisms, thermophilic and/or acidophilic enzymes, and nucleic acids encoding said enzymes

ABSTRACT

A genetically modified organism comprising: at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid isolated from  Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius  and encoding a polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product. Additionally, enzymatic and/or proteinaceous extracts may be isolated from one or more genetically modified organisms. The extracts are utilized to convert biomass into a product. Further provided are methods of converting biomass into products comprising: placing the genetically modified organism and/or enzymatic extracts thereof in fluid contact with polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, and/or xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/185,501, filed Feb. 20, 2014, pending, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/924,149, filed Jun. 21, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,691,525, issued Apr. 14, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/587,229, filed Oct. 2, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,492,114, issued Jul. 23, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/322,359, filed Jan. 29, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,858,353, issued Dec. 28, 2010, to Thompson et al., which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/025,136, filed Jan. 31, 2008, for “THERMOPHILIC AND THERMOACIDOPHILIC BIOPOLYMER-DEGRADING GENES AND ENZYMES FROM ALICYCLOBACILLUS ACIDOCALDARIUS AND RELATED ORGANISMS, METHODS”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/587,229 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/380,551, filed Feb. 26, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,728,803, issued May 20, 2014, to Thompson et al., which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/032,339, filed Feb. 28, 2008, for “THERMOPHILIC AND THERMOACIDOPHILIC METABOLISM GENES AND ENZYMES FROM ALICYCLOBACILLUS ACIDOCALDARIUS AND RELATED ORGANISMS, METHODS”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/587,229 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/380,450, filed Feb. 26, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,234,228, issued Jan. 12, 2016, to Thompson et al., which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/031,984, filed Feb. 27, 2008, for “THERMOPHILIC AND THERMOACIDOPHILIC GLYCOSYLATION GENES AND ENZYMES FROM ALICYCLOBACILLUS ACIDOCALDARIUS AND RELATED ORGANISMS, METHODS”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/587,229 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/380,554, filed Feb. 26, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,960,534, issued Jun. 14, 2011, to Thompson et al., which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/031,593, filed Feb. 26, 2008, for “THERMOPHILIC AND THERMOACIDOPHILIC SUGAR TRANSPORTING GENES AND ENZYMES FROM ALICYCLOBACILLUS ACIDOCALDARIUS AND RELATED ORGANISMS, METHODS”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/587,229 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/380,008, filed Feb. 20, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,716,011, issued May 6, 2014, to Lee et al., which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/030,820, filed Feb. 22, 2008, for “TRANSCRIPTIONAL CONTROL IN ALICYCLOBACILLUS ACIDOCALDARIUS AND ASSOCIATED GENES, PROTEINS, AND METHODS”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/587,229 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/321,636, filed Jan. 23, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,923,234, issued Apr. 12, 2011, to Thompson et al., which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/023,639, filed Jan. 25, 2008, for “THERMAL AND ACID TOLERANT BETA-XYLOSIDASES, GENES ENCODING, RELATED ORGANISMS, AND METHODS”; the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/887,073, filed Oct. 19, 2015, pending, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,573, filed Mar. 26, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,222,094, issued Dec. 29, 2015, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/380,551, filed Feb. 26, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,728,803, issued May 20, 2014, to Thompson et al. which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/025,136, filed Jan. 31, 2008. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/977,349, filed Dec. 21, 2015, pending, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/380,450, filed Feb. 26, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,234,228, issued Jan. 12, 2016, to Thompson et al., which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/031,984, filed Feb. 27, 2008. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/721,172, filed Dec. 20, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,575,323, issued Nov. 5, 2013, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/517,887, filed Jun. 14, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,362,226, issued Jan. 29, 2013, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/200,164, filed Sep. 20, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,354,517, issued Jan. 15, 2013 which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/066,645, filed Apr. 19, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,071,748, issued Dec. 6, 2011, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/380,554, filed Feb. 26, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,960,534, issued Jun. 14, 2011, to Thompson et al., which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/031,593, filed Feb. 26, 2008. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/920,598, filed Oct. 22, 2015, pending, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/256,819, filed Apr. 18, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,187,753, issued Nov. 17, 2015 which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/380,008, filed Feb. 20, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,716,011, issued May 6, 2014, to Lee et al., which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/030,820, filed Feb. 22, 2008, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was made with government support under Contract Number DE-AC07-99ID13727 and Contract Number DE-AC07-051D14517 awarded by the United States Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention.

STATEMENT ACCORDING TO 37 C.F.R. §1.821(c) or (e)—SEQUENCE LISTING SUBMITTED AS A TXT AND PDF FILES

Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §1.821(c) or (e), files containing a TXT version and a PDF version of the Sequence Listing have been submitted concomitant with this application, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Dilute acid hydrolysis to remove hemicellulose from lignocellulosic materials is one of the most developed pretreatment techniques for lignocellulose and is currently favored (Hamelinck et al., 2005) because it results in fairly high yields of xylose (75% to 90%). Conditions that are typically used range from 0.1 to 1.5% sulfuric acid and temperatures above 160° C. The high temperatures used result in significant levels of thermal decomposition products that inhibit subsequent microbial fermentations (Lavarack et al., 2002). High temperature hydrolysis requires pressurized systems, steam generation, and corrosion resistant materials in reactor construction due to the more corrosive nature of acid at elevated temperatures.

Lower temperature acid hydrolyses are of interest because they have the potential to overcome several of the above shortcomings (Tsao et al., 1987). It has been demonstrated that 90% of hemicellulose can be solubilized as oligomers in a few hours of acid treatment in the temperature range of 80° C. to 100° C. It has also been demonstrated that the sugars produced in low temperature acid hydrolysis are stable under those same conditions for at least 24 hours with no detectable degradation to furfural decomposition products. Finally, sulfuric acid typically used in pretreatments is not as corrosive at lower temperatures. The use of lower temperature acid pretreatments requires much longer reaction times to achieve acceptable levels of hydrolysis. Although 90% hemicellulose solubilization has been shown (Tsao, 1987), the bulk of the sugars are in the form of oligomers and are not in the monomeric form. The organisms currently favored in subsequent fermentation steps cannot utilize sugar oligomers (Garrote et al., 2001) and the oligomer-containing hydrolysates require further processing to monomers, usually as a second acid or alkaline hydrolysis step (Garrote et al., 2001).

Other acidic pretreatment methods include autohydrolysis and hot water washing. In autohydrolysis, biomass is treated with steam at high temperatures (˜240° C.), which cleaves acetyl side chains associated with hemicellulose to produce acetic acid that functions in a similar manner to sulfuric acid in acid hydrolysis. Higher pretreatment temperatures are required as compared to dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis because acetic acid is a much weaker acid than sulfuric. At temperatures below 240° C., the hemicellulose is not completely hydrolyzed to sugar monomers and has high levels of oligomers (Garrote et al., 2001). In hot water washing, biomass is contacted with water (under pressure) at elevated temperatures 160° C. to 220° C. This process can effectively hydrolyze greater than 90% of the hemicellulose present, and the solubilized hemicellulose was typically over 95% in the form of oligomers (Liu and Wyman, 2003).

BRIEF SUMMARY

The entire contents of each of the following applications and patents are incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference: patent application Ser. No. 12/322,359, filed Jan. 29, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,858,353, issued Dec. 28, 2010, to Thompson et al.; Ser. No. 12/321,636, filed Jan. 23, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,923,234, issued Apr. 12, 2011, to Thompson et al.; Ser. No. 12/380,008 filed Feb. 20, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,716,011, issued May 6, 2014, to Lee et al.; Ser. No. 12/380,554, filed Feb. 26, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,960,534, issued Jun. 14, 2011, to Thompson et al.; Ser. No. 12/380,450 (filed Feb. 26, 2009); and Ser. No. 12/380,551 filed Feb. 26, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,728,803, issued May 20, 2014, to Thompson et al.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a genetically modified organism for converting biomass into products. The genetically modified organism may comprise at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide as disclosed in the patent applications and patents previously incorporated by reference herein. In embodiments, the genetically modified organism may comprise at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide associated with at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing and/or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and/or at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide associated with fermenting sugar molecules to products.

Embodiments of the invention also relate to protein(s) and/or cellular extracts isolated from a genetically modified organism. The isolated protein and/or cellular extracts may comprise: at least one polypeptide isolated from a genetically modified organism, the organism including: at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide as disclosed in the patent applications previously incorporated by reference herein. In embodiments, the at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide may comprise: at least one polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing and/or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in fermenting sugar molecules to products.

Additional embodiments of the invention relate to methods of at least partially processing polysaccharides, cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups into a product. The method may comprise: placing a genetically modified organism in fluid contact with a polysaccharide, cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycoside, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, and/or mannan-decorating group. The genetically modified organism may comprise at least one nucleic acid and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and/or at least one nucleic acid and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a functional protein involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product and/or a fermentation enzyme involved in converting sugars into a product.

Further embodiments of the invention relate to isolating an extract from a genetically modified organism according to the present invention. Embodiments may also include placing the isolated extract in fluid contact with a polysaccharide, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycoside, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, and/or mannan-decorating group. The genetically modified organism may comprise at least one nucleic acid and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having some level of activity in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, and/or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and/or at least one nucleic acid and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a functional protein involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product such as a fermentation or other enzyme involved in converting sugars into a product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D depict a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO:337 (RAAC02661), a xylan alpha-1,2-glucuronidase, and gi|15613624, gi|118725970, gi|148270004, gi|15642830, and gi|116621784 (SEQ ID NOs:338-342, respectively) which are all xylan alpha-4,2-glucuronidases. Amino acids common to three or more of the sequences aligned are indicated in bold.

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of the relative α-glucuronidase (AGUR) activity of RAAC02661 (SEQ. ID NO:337) produced in E. coli. Diamonds indicate the activity at 50° C., squares indicate the activity at 60° C., triangles indicate the activity at 70° C., Xs indicate the activity at 80° C. and circles indicate the activity at 90° C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Lignocellulose is a highly heterogeneous three-dimensional matrix comprised of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Many fuels and chemicals can be made from these lignocellulosic materials. To utilize lignocellulosic biomass for production of fuels and chemicals via fermentative processes, it is necessary to convert the plant polysaccharides to simpler sugars, which are then fermented to products using a variety of organisms. Direct hydrolysis of cellulose by mineral acids to monomers is possible at high temperature and pressure, leading to yield losses due to thermal decomposition of the sugars. One strategy to reduce these yield losses is to use cellulases and potentially other enzymes to depolymerize the polysaccharides at moderate temperatures. Addition of acid-stable thermotolerant hydrolytic enzymes such as cellulases and xylanases to the biomass slurry during the pretreatment allows the use of lower temperatures and pressures, as well as cheaper materials of reactor construction, reducing both the capital and energy costs. Another approach is to combine the reduced severity pretreatment with enzymes together with fermentation under the same conditions, using a single organism that produces the enzymes to degrade the material as well as ferment the sugars to the value-added product of choice.

For commercially available enzymes to be used for this purpose, the pretreatment slurry must be neutralized and cooled to 40° C. to 50° C., adding significant cost to the process. Hence, it would be an improvement in the art to degrade the soluble oligomers produced using acid, autohydrolysis or hot water washing pretreatments, at reduced severity and without neutralization using, for example, thermophilic and/or acidophilic enzymes.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a genetically modified organism comprising at least one of a nucleic acid sequence and protein sequence encoded by a nucleic acid sequence from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius. Such nucleic acids may include any of those nucleotide sequences described in the patent applications incorporated herein by reference. Such nucleic acids include, but are not limited to, those coding for enzymes capable of depolymerizing cellulosic polysaccharides to simpler carbohydrates and their transport into the bacterial cell and metabolism within the cell. Enzyme activities associated with transport into the cell and metabolism within the cell may be thermophilic and/or acidophilic in nature and general examples of nucleic acids coding for similar enzymes are described in the literature. Enzyme activities associated with cellulose depolymerization and/or metabolism may be thermophilic (intracellular) and/or thermoacidophilic (extracellular) and include, without limitation, the following classes of enzymes: Alpha-glucosidases, Glucan 1,4-alpha-maltohydrolases, Glycosidases, Amylases, Acetyl esterases, Beta-galactosidases, Alpha amylases, Alpha-xylosidases, Cyclomaltodextrinases; Neopullulanases; Maltogenic alpha-amylases, Family 31 of glycosyl hydrolase, Alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases, Altronate hydrolases, poly-1,4-alpha-D-galacturonidase Xylan alpha-1,2-glucuronosidases, Cellulase/Endoglucanase, Polygalacturonases, Glycosyl hydrolases, Peptidoglycan hydrolases, N-acetylglucosaminidases, Endochitinases, Alpha-galactosidases, Endo-beta-1,4-mannanases, Cellobiose phosphorylases, Cyclic beta-1,2-glucan synthases, Glycogen debranching enzymes, Acetyl hydrolases, Beta-1,4-xylanases, Beta-glucosidases, 6-phospho-beta-glucosidases, Cinnamoyl ester hydrolases, Beta-glucuronidases, Xylan alpha-1,2-glucuronosidases, 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA hydrolases, Beta-glucosidases, glycosidases, Chitooligosaccharide deacetylases, glycosyl hydrolases (or glycoside hydrolases); esterases including acetylxylan esterases and p-cumaric acid esterases and ferulic acid esterases; and/or uronidases.

Additionally, embodiments of the invention relate in part to a genetically modified organism comprising, in addition to at least one of the nucleic acid sequences and protein sequences encoded by nucleic acids of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, at least one of the nucleic acid sequences and protein sequences associated with fermenting sugar molecules to products. Such nucleic acid sequences may code for protein sequences which may be thermophilic and/or acidophilic in nature and general examples of similar nucleic acids are described in the literature.

The present invention also relates to isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequences from the genome of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius selected from the sequences described in the patent applications and patents previously incorporated herein by reference.

Nucleotide, polynucleotide, or nucleic acid sequence will be understood according to the present invention as meaning either double-stranded or single-stranded DNA and the transcription products of said DNAs.

As used herein, “fermentation” relates to the biological conversion of a sugar molecule into a product. As used herein, a “product” is any chemical that can be made, at least in part, through a biological process. Examples of products include, but are not limited to, ethanol, acetic acid, glyoxylic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, propionic acid, acetone, fumaric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, butyric acid, 1-butanol, 2,3-butanediol, acetoin, aspartic acid, 1,2,-butanediol, itaconic acid, glutamic acid, citric acid, aconitic acid, cis-cis muconic acid, gluconic acid, kojic acid, amino acids, vitamins, alginate, cellulose, curdlan, chondroitin, cyanophycin, gellan, heparin, hyaluronic acid, poly-gamma-glutamic acid, poly-epsilon-lysine, polyhydroxyalkanoates, pullulan, scleroglucan, xanthan, indigo, and those chemicals set forth in the BREW report from the University of Utrect, (Patel, M. et al., (2006), “Medium and long-term opportunities and risks of the biotechnological production of bulk chemicals from renewable resources: The potential of white biotechnology.” The BREW Project. Final Report prepared under the European Commission's GROWTH Programme (DG Research), (publicafraunhofer.de/eprints/N-48834.pdf)), the entirety of the contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

Although the following sections related to Hydrolysis Associated Molecules (HAMs) and Fermentation Associated Molecules (FAMs), the techniques therein apply equally to all other nucleotide sequences isolated and/or purified from the genome of acidophilic and or thermophilic organisms, such as, without limitation, Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and those HAMs and FAMs described in the patent applications previously incorporated herein by reference.

Expression/Integration of Hydrolysis Associated Molecules

In embodiments of the invention, one or more Hydrolysis Associated Molecules (HAMs) may be incorporated and/or inserted into an organism that has the ability to ferment sugars to products. The HAMs may include regulatory factors and/or nucleic acids coding for proteins associated with, involved in, and/or assisting in the breakdown and/or hydrolysis of biomass (i.e., polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups, etc.) into more simple sugar molecules and/or sugar monomers. A non-exhaustive list of these proteins and/or enzymes include: cellulases (i.e., endo- and/or exo-cellulases such as endo-beta-1,4-glucanase or exo-beta-1,4-glucanase); hemicellulases (i.e., exo- and/or endo-beta-1,4-xylanase); one or more beta-xylosidase enzymes; β-1,4-cellobiohydrolases (CBH I & CBH II); xylanases (XYN I & XYN II); β-glucosidase; α-L-arabinofuranosidase; acetyl xylan esterase; β-mannanase; and α-glucuronidase; esterases of the alpha-beta hydrolase superfamily; alpha-beta hydrolase; alpha-glucosidases; alpha-xylosidase; alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase; altronate hydrolase; a cellulose/endoglucanase; a polygalacturonase; an alpha-galactosidase; a cellobiose phosphorylase; a glycogen debranching enzyme; an acetyl esterase/acetyl hydrolase; a beta-1,4-xylanase; a cinnamoyl ester hydrolase; a carboxylesterase type B; a beta-galactosidase/beta-glucuronidase; a xylan alpha-1,2-glucuronidase; a 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA hydrolase; a beta-glucosidase B-related glycosidase; and/or a chitooligosaccharide deacetylase and/or so forth. Additional proteins and/or enzymes may include ligninolytic enzymes such as manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, or the like.

Additionally, in embodiments, the HAMs may encompass all those nucleic acids and/or proteins associated with the replication, transcription, translation, and/or expression of nucleic acids involved with the breakdown and/or hydrolysis of biomass and/or lignocellulose into more simple sugar molecules and/or sugar monomers. In a non-limiting example, HAMs may comprise those nucleic acids involved with the regulation of hydrolysis, such as, but not limited to, those nucleic acids and/or proteins that increase the replication, transcription, expression, etc., of HAMs. Further, HAMs may comprise those nucleic acids and/or proteins that are involved with the down-regulation of other HAMs. A non-exhaustive list of these regulatory HAMs may include: transcription factors, enhancers, repressors, DNA binding proteins, or the like.

In embodiments, the HAMs may include derivatives, analogs, and/or modified versions of one or more HAMs. These derivative, analogs, and/or modified versions may include those modifications carried out in vivo or in vitro. Some non-limiting examples of derivative, analogs, and/or modifications include: substitutions, deletions, mutations, modifications etc. Modifications may comprise all modifications occurring to nucleic acids, DNA, RNA, proteins, etc., such as, but not limited to, acetylation, deacetylation, alkylation, methylation, demethylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, hydroxylation, PEGylation, biotinylation, and/or any other type of modification known in the art.

In embodiments, the HAMs may encompass those nucleic acids, proteins, and/or enzymes that are derivatives of HAMs and include tags, markers, and/or other modifications. A non-exhaustive list of tags may include: His-tags, FLAG tags, Calmodulin-tags, HA-tags, Maltose binding protein-tags, Thioredoxin-tags, S-tags, Strep-tags, Nus-tags, or the like. The HAMs may also include those nucleic acids, proteins, and/or enzymes that include fluorescent markers, such as, but not limited to, GFP, RFP, YFP, BFP, or the like.

In additional embodiments, HAMs may encompass nucleic acid or peptide signals that direct secretion of HAM proteins from the cell in which they are produced. Examples of such signals include N-terminal and/or C-terminal sequences that direct localization and/or secretion of the molecules with which they are associated. In further embodiments, HAMs may include transporter proteins, such as, by way of non-limiting example, ABC transporter proteins that direct the secretion of particular molecules (such as other HAMs) to the extracellular or periplasmic space. In embodiments, the signals may direct secretion of a HAM through any system for secretion including, but not limited to, Endoplasmic Reticulum/Golgi Apparatus systems; vesicle mediated secretion systems; any of the Type I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and/or Tat secretion systems; and/or Sec pathway systems.

The incorporation of the HAMs into the one or more organisms with the ability to ferment sugars to products may enable the one or more organisms to convert cellulosic and/or other biomass compositions into products in a variety of pH and temperature conditions. In one embodiment, the one or more genetically modified organisms may carry out the biomass conversion in a range of pH conditions from at or less than a pH of about 7; at or less than a pH of about 5, about a pH of 1 to about a pH of 5; and/or from about a pH of 1 to about a pH of 1.3.

In embodiments, the ability of a genetically modified organism according to the present invention to function and/or convert biomass into products in pH conditions of 1 to 5, may eliminate the need to neutralize and/or increase the pH to a range of about 5 to 6.0 for enzymatic hydrolysis and/or fermentation after dilute acid pretreatment, which, using conventional methods, is necessary for the hydrolysis and fermentation of cellulose to products. Indeed, in conventional methods of dilute acid hydrolysis, the pretreatment hydrolysate needs to be neutralized to enable enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation to occur. As such, in one embodiment, the HAMs may code for thermophilic, thermoacidophilic, and/or acidophilic enzymes, properties and/or characteristics, or in the alternative they may be derived from one or more thermophilic, thermoacidophilic, and/or acidophilic organisms.

It is additionally contemplated that one or more of the HAM encoded proteins may function and/or have an optimum pH range of above a pH of 5. Indeed, one or more of the HAMs may function and/or enable breakdown and/or hydrolysis of biomass and/or cellulose into more simple sugar molecules and/or sugar monomers in pH conditions that range from a pH of about 5 to a pH of about 14.

In embodiments, one or more HAMs may function to and/or assist in the breakdown and/or hydrolysis of biomass and/or cellulosic materials into more simple sugar molecules and/or sugar monomers in a broad range of temperatures. Conventional methods and techniques of pretreatment for dilute acid hydrolysis and low temperature acid hydrolysis occur at temperature ranges of about 160 degrees Celsius and a range of eighty (80) degrees to one hundred (100) degrees Celsius, respectively. However, using the conventional methods, in order to begin the enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation reactions, the pretreatment mixture/slurry needs to be cooled to around forty (40) degrees to fifty (50) degrees Celsius.

In contrast to the current and/or conventional methods, the HAMs incorporated into the organism may function to, assist in, and/or carry out the breakdown and/or hydrolysis of biomass and/or cellulosic materials into more simple sugar molecules and/or sugar monomers in a broad range of temperatures. Some non-limiting examples of temperature ranges include: at least about fifty (50) degrees Celsius; at least about seventy (70) degrees Celsius; from about forty-five (45) degrees Celsius to about eighty (80) degrees Celsius; from about eighty (80) degrees Celsius to about one hundred (100) degrees Celsius; from about eighty-five (85) degrees to about ninety-five (95) degrees Celsius; and/or from about ninety (90) degrees to about one hundred (100) degrees Celsius.

In embodiments, the one or more HAMs may be isolated from, derived from and/or originate from one or more organisms. The one or more organisms may comprise the same organism, organisms within the same genus and/or within the same species, and/or different and/or distinct organisms. In one non-limiting example, the HAMs are from one or more extremophiles, such as, but not limited to: hyperthermophilic, thermophilic, acidophilic, thermoacidophilic, and/or polyextremophilic organisms. Some non-limiting examples of organisms include: Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius; Clostridium thermocellum; Clostridium thermolacticum; Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum; Trichoderma reesei; a variety of Bacillus species (i.e., B. subtilis, B. thermoamylovorans, B. stearothermophilus, B. granulobacter, B. pectinovorum, B. halodurans, etc.); Moorella thermoautotrophica; Moorella thermoacetica; Streptococcus (Lactobacillus) thermophilus; and/or other extremophilic bacteria that possess one or more nucleic acids associated with the breakdown and/or hydrolysis of biomass and/or lignocellulosic material into more simple sugar molecules and/or sugar monomers. It is also contemplated that the HAMs may be isolated from, derived from, or otherwise originate from any type and/or kind of organism that includes one or more of the HAMs and/or other extremophilic bacteria that possess one or more nucleic acids encoding proteins involved in breakdown and/or hydrolysis of biomass and/or lignocellulosic material into products. It is also contemplated that the HAMs may be isolated from, derived from, or otherwise originate from any type and/or kind of organism that includes one or more of the HAMs, such as, but not limited to, those found online at wzw.tum.de/mbiotec/cellmo.htm; or available from an institution, such as, but not limited to, the Advanced Biotechnology Center (ABC) (Italy); Interlab Cell Line Collection (Biotechnology Dept.) (Italy); the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL); the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC); the Belgian Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms (BCCM); the Prime Minister's Services Federal Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs (OSTC) (Belgium); Bureau of Microbiology at Health Canada (BMHC); Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS) (the Netherlands); China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) (Wuhan); China Committee for Culture Collection of Microorganisms (Beijing); Colección Espanola de Cultivos Tipo (CECT) (Spain); Collection Nationale De Cultures De Microorganismes (CNCM) (Institut Pasteur, France); Collection of Industrial Yeasts DBVPG (Perugia, Italy); Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP) (United Kingdom); Culture Collection of Yeasts (CCY) (Slovakia); Czech Collection of Microorganisms (CCM); Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ) (Germany); European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC) (United Kingdom); Institute of Agriculture and Food Biotechnology (IAFB) Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (Poland); International Mycological Institute (IMI) (United Kingdom); International Patent Organism Depositary (IPOD) (Tsukuba, Japan); Korean Cell Line Research Foundation (KCLRF); Korean Collection for Type Cultures (KCTC); Korean Culture Center of Microorganisms (KCCM); Microbial Strain Collection of Latvia (MSCL); National Bank for Industrial Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (NBIMCC) (Bulgaria); National Collection of Agricultural and Industrial Microorganisms (NCAIM) (Budapest, Hungary); National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) (United Kingdom); National Collection of Yeast Cultures (NCYC); AFRC Institute of Food Research (United Kingdom); National Collections of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria (NCIMB) (Scotland); National Research Center of Antibiotics (Moscow); Polish Collection of Microorganisms (PCM) (Poland); Russian Collection of Microorganisms (VKM); and the Russian National Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (VKPM) (Russia).

In embodiments, one or more of the HAMs may be incorporated into, integrated into, and/or otherwise expressed in one or more organisms that may already have the ability to ferment sugars to products. Such organisms may be any organism known in the art that has the ability to ferment sugars to alcohols or other products. A non-exhaustive list of organisms may include: Clostridium thermocellum; Clostridium thermolacticum; Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum; a variety of Bacillus species (i.e., B. subtilis, B. thermoamylovorans, B. stearothermophilus, B. granulobacter, B. pectinovorum, B. halodurans, etc.); Moorella thermoautotrophica; Moorella thermoacetica; Streptococcus (Lactobacillus) thermophilus; Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), Zymomonas mobilis, Candida shehatae, E. coli, those found at any of the web sites or institutions listed herein, and/or other organisms that possess one or more nucleic acids coding for proteins involved in fermentation of sugars to products.

It is additionally contemplated that the organism able to ferment sugars to products may be any organism that has nucleic acids encoding for one or more proteins involved with the fermentation pathways, such as, but not limited to, hexokinase I, hexokinase II, glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, phosphofructokinase, aldolase, triosephosphate isomerase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, phosphoglycerate mutase, enolase, enolase I, pyruvate decarboxylase, citrate synthase, aconitase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, fumarase, xylose reductase, xylitol dehydrogenase, xylulokinase, phosphoketolase, lactate dehydrogenase, acetyl-CoA-acetyl transferase, β-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, crotonase, butyryl CoA dehydrogenase, phosphobutyrylase, butyrate kinase, and alcohol dehydrogenase. In embodiments of the present invention, the organism may already include those enzymes and/or nucleic acids encoding enzymes, necessary for fermenting sugars to products. Some non-limiting examples of these enzymes include: hexokinase I, hexokinase II, glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, phosphofructokinase, aldolase, triosephosphate isomerase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, phosphoglycerate mutase, enolase, enolase I, pyruvate decarboxylase, citrate synthase, aconitase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, fumarase, xylose reductase, xylitol dehydrogenase, xylulokinase, phosphoketolase, lactate dehydrogenase, acetyl-CoA-acetyl transferase, β-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, crotonase, butyryl CoA dehydrogenase, phosphobutyrylase, butyrate kinase, and alcohol dehydrogenase.

In embodiments, one or more of the HAMs may include and/or be expressed with one or more regulatory elements and/or proteins, such as, but not limited to, promoters, enhancers, transcription factors, activators, silencers, and/or so forth. Non-limiting examples of such regulatory elements may be found in the patent applications previously incorporated herein by reference. In this manner, the transcription and/or expression of one or more of the HAMs may be regulated and/or controlled. In a non-limiting example, the HAMs may include a promoter region substantially similar to promoter regions of one or more of the organism's Fermentation Associated Molecules (FAMs) (those nucleic acids encoding proteins involved in the fermentation of sugars to products). In this manner, transcription and/or expression of one or more of the HAMs occur at substantially the same time, or substantially simultaneous with, the transcription and/or expression of one or more of the FAMs. It is also contemplated that one or more of the HAMs may be included and/or integrated under the control of the same promoter and/or promoter regions of the FAMs in one or more of the organisms. Some non-limiting examples of types of promoters contemplated include: constitutive promoters, tissue specific or development stage promoters, inducible promoters, and/or synthetic promoters. In one embodiment, the promoter may be a standard promoter used in expression vectors, such as, but not limited to, the T7 and Sp6 Phage promoters, which promote the expression of inserted nucleic acids in a phage type vector.

In embodiments, one or more of the HAMs may comprise and/or be included in a delivery system that may deliver, incorporate, transfer, and/or assist in the delivery and/or expression of one or more of the HAMs into one or more of the organisms able to break down and/or convert cellulose to more simple sugar molecules. The delivery system may comprise any method for incorporating DNA, nucleic acids and/or vectors in cells known in the art, such as but not limited to, transfection, electroporation, lipofection, transformation, gene guns, Biolistic Particle Delivery Systems, and/or so forth.

It is additionally contemplated that one or more HAMs may be incorporated into any type and/or kind of vector known in the art. A non-exhaustive list of potential vectors include: plasmids, bacteriophages, viruses, yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), P1 bacteriophage-derived chromosomes (PACs), mammalian artificial chromosomes, and/or so forth. The insertion and/or incorporation of desired nucleic acids into vectors is well understood, and in many instances vectors and/or insertion of nucleic acids into vectors are commercially available (i.e., through Empire genomics at empiregenomics.com/site/products_bacclones.php).

In embodiments, the delivery systems and/or vectors that may be used to incorporate one or more of the HAMs may include selective markers, tags, or the like. Such selective markers tags, etc., may enable the determination of a successful delivery, integration, and/or expression of a vector including one or more of the HAMs. Some non-limiting examples of selective markers, tags, etc., include: antibiotic resistance, amino acid/nutrient markers, color markers, fluorescent markers (i.e., GFP, RFP, etc.), His-tags, FLAG tags, Calmodulin-tags, HA-tags, Maltose binding protein-tags, Thioredoxin-tags, S-tags, Strep-tags, Nus-tags, and/or so forth.

In embodiments, it is contemplated that one or more of the HAMs may be integrated with, incorporated into, and/or become part of the genome and/or DNA of the host organism. Integrating one or more of the HAMs into the host DNA may provide for better expression, replication to subsequent host progeny, and/or protection from DNA degradation by the host organism. Numerous methods and/or vectors for integrating, inserting, and/or incorporating a desired nucleic acid into a host genome are well known in the art. A non-exhaustive list of potential vectors include: phage lambda (λ), adeno-associated virus (AAV), adenovirus, lentivirus, retroviruses, transposons, or the like. Additionally, a multipurpose vector system may be used as taught in Laitinen et al., A multi-purpose vector system . . . , Nucleic Acids Research, 2005, vol. 33, no. 4, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Expression/Integration of Fermentation Associated Molecules

In one embodiment of the invention one or more Fermentation Associated Molecules (FAMs), encoding for proteins associated with, involved in, and/or assisting in the fermentation of sugars to products may be incorporated and/or inserted into an organism that has the ability to break down lignocellulosic materials to more simple sugar molecules. The FAMs may include any nucleic acids, proteins and/or enzymes that are associated with the fermentation of sugars to products. A non-exhaustive list of these proteins and/or enzymes includes: hexokinase I, hexokinase II, glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, phosphofructokinase, aldolase, triosephosphate isomerase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, phosphoglycerate mutase, enolase, enolase I, pyruvate decarboxylase, citrate synthase, aconitase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, fumarase, xylose reductase, xylitol dehydrogenase, xylulokinase, phosphoketolase, lactate dehydrogenase, acetyl-CoA-acetyl transferase, β-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, crotonase, butyryl CoA dehydrogenase, phosphobutyrylase, butyrate kinase, and alcohol dehydrogenase.

In additional embodiments, the FAMs encompass all those nucleic acids coding for proteins associated with the replication, transcription, translation, and/or expression of nucleic acids associated with the fermentation of sugars to a product. In a non-limiting example, FAMs may comprise those nucleic acids constituting either regulatory sequences or coding for proteins involved with the regulation of FAMs, such as, but not limited to, those nucleic acid sequences and/or proteins that increase replication, transcription, expression, etc., of FAMs. Further, FAMs may comprise those nucleic acids that are involved with the down-regulation of FAMs, either directly or through the proteins they may encode. A non-exhaustive list of proteins encoded by these FAMs may include: transcription factors, enhancers, repressors, DNA binding proteins, or the like.

In further embodiments, the FAMs may include derivatives, analogs, and/or modified versions of one or more FAMs. These derivatives, analogs, and/or modified versions may include those modifications carried out either in vivo or in vitro. Some non-limiting examples of derivatives, analogs, and/or modifications include: substitutions, deletions, mutations, modifications, etc. Modifications may comprise all modifications occurring to nucleic acids, DNA, RNA, proteins, etc., such as, but not limited to, acetylation, deacetylation, alkylation, methylation, demethylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, hydroxylation, PEGylation, biotinylation, and/or any other type of modification known in the art.

In yet other embodiments, the FAMs may encompass those nucleic acids, regulatory sequences, proteins, and/or enzymes which are encoded by the FAMs that are derivatives of FAMs and/or include tags, markers, and/or other modifications. A non-exhaustive list of tags may include: His-tags, FLAG tags, Calmodulin-tags, HA-tags, Maltose binding protein-tags, Thioredoxin-tags, S-tags, Strep-tags, Nus-tags, or the like. The FAMs may also include those nucleic acids, proteins, and/or enzymes that include fluorescent markers, such as, but not limited to, GFP, RFP, YFP, BFP, or the like.

Advantageously, the incorporation of the FAMs into the one or more organisms with the ability to break down biomass to more simple sugar molecules may enable the one or more genetically modified organisms to convert lignocellulose and/or other biomass materials more efficiently into a product under a variety of pH and/or temperature conditions. In one embodiment, the one or more genetically modified organisms may carry out the biomass conversion in a range of pH conditions from at or less than a pH of about 7; at or less than a pH of about 5, from about a pH of 1 to about a pH of 5, and/or from about a pH of 1 to about a pH of 1.3.

Advantageously, in one embodiment, the ability of the genetically modified organism to function and/or convert biomass into products at pH conditions of 1 to 5, eliminates the need to neutralize and/or increase the pH to a range of about 5 to 6.0 for enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation, which, using conventional methods, is necessary for the hydrolysis and fermentation of cellulose to products. Indeed, in conventional methods of dilute acid hydrolysis, the pretreatment hydrolysate needs to be neutralized to enable enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation to occur. As such, in one embodiment, the FAMs may code for enzymes which comprise thermophilic, thermoacidophilic, and/or acidophilic properties and/or characteristics, or in the alternative may be derived from, analogs of, and/or homologues of one or more thermophilic, thermoacidophilic, and/or acidophilic FAMs from other organisms.

It is additionally contemplated that one or more of the proteins encoded by the FAMs may function and/or have an optimum pH range of above a pH of 5. Indeed, one or more of the proteins encoded by the FAMs may function and/or enable fermentation of sugar to products in pH conditions that range from a pH of about 5 to a pH of about 14.

In still another embodiment, enzymes encoded by one or more FAMs may function to and/or assist in fermenting sugars to products in a broad range of temperatures. Conventional methods and techniques of pretreatment using dilute acid hydrolysis and low temperature acid hydrolysis occur at temperature ranges of about 160 degrees Celsius and a range of eighty (80) degrees to one hundred (100) degrees Celsius, respectively. However, using the conventional methods, in order to begin the enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation reactions, the pretreatment mixture/slurry needs to be cooled to around forty (40) degrees to fifty (50) degrees Celsius.

In contrast to the current and/or conventional methods, the FAMs incorporated into one or more of the organisms described herein may function to, assist in, and/or carry out the fermentation process in a broad range of temperatures. Some non-limiting examples of temperature ranges include: at least about fifty (50) degrees Celsius, at least about seventy (70) degrees Celsius, from about forty-five (45) degrees Celsius to about eighty (80) degrees Celsius; from about eighty (80) degrees Celsius to about one hundred (100) degrees Celsius; from about eighty-five (85) degrees to about ninety-five (95) degrees Celsius; and/or from about ninety (90) degrees to about one hundred (100) degrees Celsius.

In further embodiments, the one or more FAMs may be isolated from, derived from and/or originate from one or more organisms. The one or more organisms may comprise the same organism, organisms within the same genus and/or within the same species, and/or different and/or distinct organisms. In one non-limiting example, the FAMs are from one or more extremophiles, such as, but not limited to: hyperthermophilic, thermophilic, acidophilic, thermoacidophilic, and/or polyextremophilic organisms. Some non-limiting examples of organisms include: Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, Clostridium thermocellum; Clostridium thermolacticum; Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum; a variety of Bacillus species (i.e., B. subtilis, B. thermoamylovorans, B. stearothermophilus, B. granulobacter B. pectinovorum, B. halodurans, etc.); Moorella thermoautotrophica; Moorella thermoacetica; Streptococcus (Lactobacillus) thermophilus, those found at any of the web sites or institutions listed herein, and/or other organisms that possess one or more nucleic acid sequences involved in fermentation of sugars to products. It is also contemplated that the FAMs may be isolated from, derived from, or otherwise originate from non-extremophilic organisms, such as, but not limited to, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), Zymomonas mobilis, Candida shehatae, E. coli, and/or other organisms which possess one or more nucleic acids involved in fermentation of sugars to products.

In embodiments, one or more of the FAMs may be incorporated into, integrated into, and/or otherwise expressed in one or more organisms that already have the ability to break down lignocellulose and/or biomass to more simple sugar molecules. Such organisms may be any organism known in the art that has the ability to break down lignocellulose to more simple sugar molecules. A non-exhaustive list of such organisms may include: Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius; Clostridium thermocellum; Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum; and/or any other organism that is known to have the ability to break down lignocellulose and/or biomass. It is additionally contemplated that the organism able to break down lignocellulose and/or biomass may be any organism that has nucleic acid sequences encoding one or more types of endo- and/or exo-cellulases, i.e., endo-beta-1,4-glucanase; one or more types of hemicellulases, i.e., endo-beta-1,4-xylanase; and/or one or more xylosidase enzymes.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an organism may already include enzymes and/or nucleic acids encoding enzymes, for breaking down at least one of the three major components of lignocellulose: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Some non-limiting examples of these enzymes include endo- and/or exo-β-1,4-glucanases. The endo- and/or exo-β-1,4-glucanases may function to hydrolyze the linked glucose residues (endo activity) and/or hydrolyze the ends of the cellulose polymers (exo activity). Additionally, the organism may already include endo-β-1,4-xylanase; and/or one or more xylosidase enzymes, such enzymes possessing the ability to hydrolyze one or more types of hemicellulose polymers. In an additional embodiment, the organism may include additional and/or accessory enzymes, proteins, or nucleic acid sequences that may assist in completely hydrolyzing, transporting, metabolizing and/or breaking down the one or more types of lignocellulose polymers into more simple sugar molecules and/or sugar monomers.

In embodiments, it is contemplated that the organism may include one or more enzymes and/or nucleic acids encoding enzymes that have the ability to break down, transport, metabolize, and/or hydrolyze lignin molecules; including nucleic acids encoding for ligninolytic enzymes such as manganese peroxidase, laccase, lignin peroxidase, or the like.

In embodiments, one or more of the FAMs may include and/or be expressed with one or more regulatory factors, regulatory elements, and/or proteins, such as, but not limited to, promoters, enhancers, transcription factors, activators, silencers, and/or so forth. Non-limiting examples of such regulatory elements may be found in the patent applications previously incorporated herein by reference. In this manner, the transcription and/or expression of one or more of the FAMs may be regulated and/or controlled. In a non-limiting example, the FAMs may include a promoter region substantially similar to promoter regions of one or more of the organism's Hydrolysis Associated Molecules (HAMs) (those nucleic acids involved in breaking down lignocellulosic materials to simpler sugars). In this manner, transcription and/or expression of one or more of the FAMs occur at substantially the same time, or substantially simultaneous with, the transcription and/or expression of the Hydrolysis Associated Molecules. It is also contemplated one or more of the FAMs may be included and/or integrated under the control of the same promoter and/or promoter regions of the Hydrolysis Associated Molecules in one or more of the organisms. Some non-limiting examples of types of promoters contemplated include: constitutive promoters, tissue specific or development stage promoters, inducible promoters, and/or synthetic promoters. In one embodiment, the promoter may be a standard promoter used in expression vectors, such as, but not limited to, the T7 and Sp6 Phage promoters, which promote the expression of inserted nucleic acids in a phage type vector.

In embodiments, one or more of the FAMs may comprise and/or be included in a delivery system that may deliver, incorporate, transfer, and/or assist in the delivery and/or expression of one or more of the FAMs into one or more of the organisms able to break down and/or convert lignocellulose to more simple sugar molecules. The delivery system may comprise any method for incorporating DNA, nucleic acids and/or vectors into cells known in the art. A non-exhaustive list of methods may include: transfection, electroporation, lipofection, transformation, gene guns, Biolistic Particle Delivery System, and/or so forth.

It is additionally contemplated that one or more FAMs may be incorporated into any type and/or kind of vector known in the art. A non-exhaustive list of potential vectors include: plasmids, bacteriophages, viruses, yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), P1 bacteriophage-derived chromosomes (PACs), mammalian artificial chromosomes, and/or so forth. The insertion and/or incorporation of desired nucleic acids into vectors is well understood in the art, and in many instances vectors and/or insertion of nucleic acids into vectors are commercially available (i.e., through Empire genomics empiregenomics.com/site/products_bacclones.php).

In embodiments, the delivery systems and/or vectors that may be used to incorporate one or more of the FAMs may include and/or encode selective markers, tags, or the like, that may enable the determination of a successful delivery, integration, and/or expression of a vector including one or more of the FAMs. Some non-limiting examples of selective markers, tags, etc., include: antibiotic resistance, amino acid/nutrient markers, color markers, fluorescent markers (i.e., GFP, RFP, etc.), His-tags, FLAG tags, Calmodulin-tags, HA-tags, Maltose binding protein-tags, Thioredoxin-tags, S-tags, Strep-tags, Nus-tags, and so forth.

In embodiments, it is contemplated that one or more of the FAMs may be integrated with, incorporated into, and/or become part of the genome and/or DNA of the host organism. Integrating one or more of the FAMs into the host DNA may provide for better expression, replication to subsequent host progeny, and/or protection from DNA degradation by the host organism. There are numerous methods and/or vectors for integrating, inserting, and/or incorporating a desired nucleic acid into a host genome which are well known in the art. A non-exhaustive list of potential vectors include: phage lambda (λ), adeno-associated virus (AAV), adenovirus, lentivirus, retroviruses, transposons, or the like. Additionally, a multipurpose vector system may be used as taught in Laitinen et al., A multi-purpose vector system . . . , Nucleic Acids Research, 2005, vol. 33, no. 4, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BioProcessing

In embodiments, one or more of the genetically modified organisms described herein may produce one or more proteins from the FAMs and/or HAMs intracellularly and/or extracellularly. In producing proteins extracellularly, the genetically modified organism may excrete the proteins, enzymes, etc., into the extracellular and/or surrounding environment. It is additionally contemplated that the outer membrane and/or cell wall of the genetically modified organism may be coated with and/or include one or more proteins encoded by the HAMs. In this manner, breakdown and/or hydrolysis of biomass/lignocellulosic material is realized in the extracellular environment.

In embodiments, one or more of the genetically modified organisms described herein may convert biomass and/or lignocellulosic material to products at least partially intracellularly, or otherwise internal to the genetically modified organism. In a non-limiting example, at least partially hydrolyzed sugar molecules may be brought and/or transported into the genetically modified organism and fermented to ethanol or another product. The one or more genetically modified organism may then excrete the ethanol or other product into the extracellular environment.

It is contemplated that one more of the genetically modified organisms described herein may have multiple methods of use, uses, and/or applications in a wide variety of industries, laboratories, markets, etc.

In embodiments, one or more of the genetically modified organisms described herein may be applied to biomass and/or lignocellulosic material such that the biomass and/or lignocellulosic material is broken down, depolymerized, and subsequently converted to products. The one or more genetically modified organisms may be applied to the biomass or lignocellulosic material/composition in any manner known in the art. In a non-limiting example, the biomass and/or lignocellulosic material may be ground up and/or undergo a grinding process. Additionally, the biomass and/or lignocellulosic material may undergo various pretreatments prior to exposure to the recombinant organism. Such treatments may include, but are not limited to, sulfur dioxide, steam explosion, acid hydrolysis, ammonia hydrolysis, autohydrolysis, or the like. Additional, non-limiting examples are described in Thomas et al., which is incorporated by reference herein.

In embodiments, one or more of the genetically modified organisms described herein may be applied to biomass and/or lignocellulosic material, such as, but not limited to, cellulose, through the use of multiple methods and/or procedures. In one non-limiting example, a lignocellulosic composition may comprise one or more solid substrates/phases which are inoculated with the one or more genetically modified organisms, and/or cultures thereof. Additionally, the lignocellulosic composition may be embodied in a liquid, or substantially liquid substrate/phase; and the one or more genetically modified organisms introduced therein.

In embodiments, it is additionally contemplated that enzymes and/or proteins encoded by any and/or all of the HAMs and/or FAMs may be extracted, removed and/or isolated from one or more genetically modified organisms described herein. These enzymatic and/or proteinaceous compositions may then be applied to biomass and/or lignocellulosic material.

In embodiments, the biomass and/or lignocellulosic composition is inoculated with a genetically modified organism culture. It is contemplated there may be a variety of conditions (i.e., pH, concentrations of biomass and/or lignocellulosic material, concentration of genetically modified organisms, temperature, pressure, etc.) at which hydrolysis of the biomass and/or lignocellulosic material and subsequent fermentation may occur. Indeed, the pH of the hydrolysis may include ranges of at or less than a pH of about 7; at or less than a pH of about 5; about a pH of 1 to about a pH of 5; and/or from about a pH of 1 to about a pH of 1.3.

In embodiments, the ability of the one or more hydrolysis and/or fermentation reactions occurring in pH conditions of 1 to 5, may eliminate the need to neutralize and/or increase the pH to a range of about 5 to 6 following acid pretreatment for enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation that, using conventional methods, is necessary for the hydrolysis and fermentation of lignocellulosic material to products. Indeed, in conventional methods of dilute acid hydrolysis, the pretreatment hydrolysate needs to be neutralized to enable enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation to occur. As such, in one embodiment, the HAMs may code for enzymes that comprise thermophilic, thermoacidophilic, and/or acidophilic properties and/or characteristics, or in the alternative may be derived from one or more thermophilic, thermoacidophilic, and/or acidophilic organisms.

It is additionally contemplated that one or more hydrolysis and/or fermentation reactions may occur and/or have an optimum pH range of above a pH of 5. Indeed, the hydrolysis and/or fermentation reactions may occur in pH conditions that range from a pH of about 5 to a pH of about 14.

In embodiments, the one or more hydrolysis and/or fermentation reactions may occur in a broad range of temperatures. Some non-limiting examples of temperature ranges include: from about fifty (50) degrees Celsius; from about seventy (70) degrees Celsius; from about eighty (80) degrees Celsius to about one hundred (100) degrees Celsius; from about eighty-five (85) degrees to about ninety-five (95) degrees Celsius; and/or from about ninety (90) degrees to about one hundred (100) degrees Celsius.

In embodiments, one or more of the genetically modified organisms described herein may be grown and/or cultured in accordance with known methods. Such genetically modified organism cultures may be fluidly applied and/or contacted with biomass and/or lignocellulosic compositions, such as, but not limited to, polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups.

In embodiments, cellular and/or proteinaceous extracts of the genetically modified organism cultures may be isolated. Protein and/or cellular isolations and extractions may be conducted through conventional methods. The cellular and/or proteinaceous extracts may be applied to and/or contacted with the biomass and/or lignocellulosic compositions as described herein.

In embodiments, one or more of the genetically modified organisms and/or one or more of the cellular and/or proteinaceous extracts described herein may be applied and/or fluidly contacted with biomass and/or lignocellulosic compositions under thermophilic, acidophilic, and/or thermoacidophilic conditions. In a non-limiting example, the temperature may be at or above about fifty (50) degrees and/or the pH at or below about the pH of 5 in a treatment mixture, slurry, apparatus or other area in which the fluid application occurs.

It is contemplated that a variety of conventional methods and/or techniques may be used to create the one or more genetically modified organisms described herein. One non-limiting method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,922, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Integration of Pretreatment, Biological Processing, and Product Recovery

Typically, the fermentative biological production of products from biomass proceeds through four distinct steps: pretreatment, cellulolytic hydrolysis, fermentation, and recovery. The pretreatment and recovery steps remain distinct in typical process designs, while the cellulolytic hydrolysis and fermentations steps can be separate steps or can be combined in various ways.

The pretreatment step is typically a physical or chemical pretreatment, such as an acid pretreatment, that effects a modification of the biomass to aid in further processing with cellulase enzymes. Typically, after a suitable period, the acid of the pretreatment is neutralized before initiating cellulolytic hydrolysis. In the most basic processing configuration, cellulolytic hydrolysis is carried out using exogenously added enzymes and is carried out separately from the fermentation step (separate hydrolysis and fermentation, or SHF). Glucose generated from the cellulose during cellulolytic hydrolysis, and pentose sugars released during the pretreatment, are separately consumed by fermenting organism(s) that are introduced to ferment the simple sugars into ethanol or another product of value. After fermentation, the product is recovered in a recovery step.

Additional processing configurations are typically utilized in which the cellulolytic hydrolysis using exogenously added enzymes and fermentation steps may be integrated. These include separate cellulolytic hydrolysis followed by co-fermentation of the pentose and hexose sugars (separate hydrolysis and co-fermentation, or SHCF), simultaneous cellulolytic hydrolysis and glucose fermentation (simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, or SSF) with separate pentose fermentation, simultaneous cellulolytic hydrolysis and co-fermentation of the glucose and pentose sugars (simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation, or SSCF).

A final processing configuration can be used in which the organism utilized to ferment glucose released during cellulolytic hydrolysis serves as the source of the cellulolytic enzymes. In this configuration, a physical and/or chemical pretreatment is utilized to improve the action of the endogenously produced cellulolytic enzymes on the cellulose. This processing configuration is referred to as Consolidated Bioprocessing (CBP).

In embodiments of the invention, the above schemes may be modified through the use of enzymes and/or organisms active and stable at increased temperatures and decreased pH to allow the combination of pretreatment and/or product recovery with the conventional biological processing steps. In certain embodiments, the pretreatment may be conducted at lowered temperatures relative to existing dilute acid pretreatment technology and this step may be carried out enzymatically utilizing thermoacidophilic lignocellulose-degrading enzymes. The altered pretreatment and subsequent biological processing (cellulolytic hydrolysis and fermentation) may be carried out sequentially or combined together. The pretreatment and biological processing, may, in certain embodiments, be carried out by isolated enzymes and/or organisms for the cellulolytic hydrolysis and/or fermentation steps according to the present invention. The enzymes may be added exogenously or may be produced by the fermentation organisms in a Combined Pretreatment and Consolidated Bioprocessing (CPBP) configuration. In certain embodiments, the thermoacidophilic enzymes and organisms may include Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, genetically modified organisms comprising one or more nucleotides sequences derived or isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, or by extracts and/or lysates comprising one or more proteins produced by or derived from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius. In embodiments, the pretreatment step may comprise an acid pretreatment; alkaline pretreatment; hydrothermal pretreatment; and/or an organosolvent pretreatment.

In further embodiments, the acid or alkali added to or generated during a pretreatment step may not need to be neutralized before hydrolysis and/or fermentation. In embodiments, the non-neutralization of the pretreatment conditions may lead to the decreased function or death of any unwanted organisms present on the incoming biomass to be treated. In embodiments, the non-neutralization of the pretreatment conditions may result in decreased byproducts or unwanted products as the function of any unwanted organisms present on the incoming biomass to be treated may be decreased.

In additional embodiments, one or more genetically modified organisms, HAMs, and/or FAMs according to the present invention may play a role in the pretreatment, cellulolytic hydrolysis, and fermentation, or in any combination thereof. For example, a genetically modified organism according to the present invention may carry out processes contributing to pretreatment and cellulolytic hydrolysis, and a second genetically modified organism according to the present invention may separately or simultaneously carry out the fermentation. In another non-limiting example, thermoacidophilic enzymes according to the present invention may carry out processes contributing to pretreatment, and one or more genetically modified organism(s) according to the present invention may carry out processes contributing to cellulolytic hydrolysis and/or fermentation. In a further non-limiting example, a single genetically modified organism(s) according to the present invention may carry out processes contributing to pretreatment, cellulolytic hydrolysis, and fermentation.

In embodiments, a reduced severity acid pretreatment step may be combined with, or occur sequentially with, the addition of thermoacidophilic lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, and occur separately or concurrently with one or both of the cellulolytic hydrolysis and fermentation steps.

Expression/Integration of Hydrolysis Associated Molecules and Fermentation Associated Molecules

In embodiments of the invention one or more Hydrolysis Associated Molecules (HAMs) and/or one or more Fermentation Associated Molecules (FAMs) may be incorporated and/or inserted into an organism.

The incorporation of the HAMs and FAMs into the one or more organisms may enable the one or more organisms to convert lignocellulosic and/or other biomass materials into a product at a variety of pH and temperature conditions. In one embodiment, the one or more genetically modified organisms may carry out the biomass conversion in a range of pH conditions from at or less than a pH of about 7; at or less than a pH of about 5; about a pH of 1 to about a pH of 5; and/or from about a pH of 1 to about a pH of 1.3.

In embodiments, the ability of the organism(s) to function and/or convert biomass into products in pH conditions of 1 to 5, may eliminate the need to neutralize and/or increase the pH to a range of about 5 to 6 for enzymatic hydrolysis and/or fermentation after dilute acid pretreatment, which, using conventional methods, is necessary for the hydrolysis and fermentation of cellulose to products. Indeed, in conventional methods of dilute acid hydrolysis, the pretreatment hydrolysate needs to be neutralized to enable enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation to occur. As such, in one embodiment, the HAMs and FAMs may code for or be enzymes that possess thermophilic, thermoacidophilic, and/or acidophilic properties and/or characteristics, or in the alternative may be derived from one or more thermophilic, thermoacidophilic, and/or acidophilic organisms.

It is additionally contemplated that one or more of the HAMs and FAMs may function and/or have an optimum pH range of above a pH of 5. Indeed, one or more of the HAMs and FAMs may function and/or enable breakdown and/or hydrolysis of biomass and/or lignocellulosic material into products in pH conditions that range from a pH of about 5 to a pH of about 14.

Conventional methods and techniques of pretreatment for dilute acid hydrolysis and low temperature acid hydrolysis occur at temperature ranges of about 160 degrees Celsius and a range of eighty (80) degrees to one hundred (100) degrees Celsius, respectively. However, using the conventional methods, in order to begin the enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation reactions, the pretreatment mixture/slurry needs to be cooled to around forty (40) degrees to fifty (50) degrees Celsius.

In contrast to the current and/or conventional methods, the HAMs and FAMs may function to, assist in, and/or carry out the breakdown and/or hydrolysis of biomass and/or lignocellulose into products in a broad range of temperatures. Some non-limiting examples of temperature ranges include: at least about fifty (50) degrees Celsius; at least about seventy (70) degrees Celsius; from about forty-five (45) degrees Celsius to about eighty (80) degrees Celsius; from about eighty (80) degrees Celsius to about one hundred (100) degrees Celsius; from about eighty-five (85) degrees to about ninety-five (95) degrees Celsius; and/or from about ninety (90) degrees to about one hundred (100) degrees Celsius).

In embodiments, the one or more HAMs and FAMs may be isolated from, derived from and/or originate from one or more organisms. The one or more organisms may comprise the same organism, organisms within the same genus and/or within the same species, and/or different and/or distinct organisms. In one non-limiting example, the HAMs and FAMs are from one or more extremophiles, such as, but not limited to: hyperthermophilic, thermophilic, acidophilic, thermoacidophilic, and/or polyextremophilic organisms. Some non-limiting examples of organisms include: Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius; Clostridium thermocellum; Clostridium thermolacticum; Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum; Trichoderma reesei; a variety of Bacillus species (i.e., B. subtilis, B. thermoamylovorans, B. stearothermophilus, B. granulobacter B. pectinovorum, B. halodurans, etc.); Moorella thermoautotrophica; Moorella thermoacetica; Streptococcus (Lactobacillus) thermophilus; and/or other extremophilic organisms that possess one or more nucleic acids encoding proteins involved in breakdown and/or hydrolysis of biomass and/or lignocellulosic material and fermentation of sugars into products. It is also contemplated that the HAMs and FAMs may be isolated from, derived from, or otherwise originate from any type and/or kind of organism that includes one or more of the HAMs and FAMs, such as, but not limited to, those found at any of the web sites or institutions listed herein.

In embodiments, one or more of the HAMs and FAMs may be incorporated into, integrated into, and/or otherwise expressed in one or more organisms that do not have the ability to break down and/or hydrolyze biomass and/or lignocellulose and/or ferment sugars to products. Such organisms may be any organism known in the art, such as, but not limited to, E. coli, Thermus thermophilus, and/or any other suitable organism known in the art.

In embodiments, one or more of the HAMs and FAMs may include and/or be expressed with one or more regulatory elements and/or proteins, such as, but not limited to, promoters, enhancers, transcription factors, activators, silencers, and/or so forth. Non-limiting examples of such regulatory factors may be found in the patent applications previously incorporated herein by reference. In this manner, the transcription and/or expression of one or more of the HAMs and FAMs may be regulated and/or controlled. In a non-limiting example, the HAMs and FAMs may include a promoter region substantially similar to promoter regions of one or more of the organism's Fermentation Associated Molecules (those nucleic acids involved in the fermentation of sugars to products). In this manner, transcription and/or expression of one or more of the HAMs and FAMs occur at substantially the same time, or substantially simultaneous with, the transcription and/or expression of the endogenous FAMs.

It is also contemplated that one or more of the HAMs and FAMs may be included and/or integrated under the control of the same promoter and/or promoter regions in one or more of the organisms. Some non-limiting examples of types of promoters contemplated include: constitutive promoters, tissues specific or development stage promoters, inducible promoters, and/or synthetic promoters. In one embodiment, the promoter may be a standard promoter used in expression vectors, such as, but not limited to, the T7 and Sp6 Phage promoters, which promote the expression of inserted nucleic acids in a phage type vector.

In embodiments, one or more of the HAMs and FAMs may comprise and/or be included in a delivery system that may deliver, incorporate, transfer, and/or assist in the delivery and/or expression of one or more of the HAMs and FAMs into one or more organisms. The delivery system may comprise any method for incorporating DNA, nucleic acids and/or vectors in cells known in the art, such as, but not limited to, transfection, electroporation, lipofection, transformation, gene guns, Biolistic Particle Delivery Systems, and/or so forth.

It is additionally contemplated that one or more HAMs and FAMs may be incorporated into any type and/or kind of vector known in the art. A non-exhaustive list of potential vectors include: transposons, plasmids, bacteriophages, viruses, yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), P1 bacteriophage-derived chromosomes (PACs), mammalian artificial chromosomes, and/or so forth. The insertion and/or incorporation of desired nucleic acids into vectors is well understood in the art, and in many instances vectors and/or insertion of nucleic acids into vectors are commercially available (i.e., through Empire genomics at empiregenomics.com/site/products_bacclones.php).

In embodiments, the delivery systems and/or vectors that may be used to incorporate one or more of the HAMs and FAMs may include selective markers, tags, or the like. Such selective marker and/or tags may enable the determination of successful delivery, integration, and/or expression of a vector including one or more of the HAMs and FAMs. Some non-limiting examples of selective markers, tags, etc., include: antibiotic resistance, amino acid/nutrient markers, color markers, fluorescent markers (i.e., GFP, RFP, etc.), His-tags, FLAG tags, Calmodulin-tags, HA-tags, Maltose binding protein-tags, Thioredoxin-tags, S-tags, Strep-tags, Nus-tags, and/or so forth.

In embodiments, it is contemplated that one or more of the HAMs and FAMs may be integrated with, incorporated into, and/or become part of the genome and/or DNA of the host organism. Integrating one or more of the HAMs and FAMs into the host DNA may provide for better expression, replication to subsequent host progeny, and/or protection from DNA degradation by the host organism. Numerous methods and/or vectors for integrating, inserting, and/or incorporating a desired nucleic acid into a host genome are well known in the art. A non-exhaustive list of potential vectors include: phage lambda (λ), adeno-associated virus (AAV), adenovirus, lentivirus, retroviruses, transposons, or the like. Additionally, a multipurpose vector system may be used as taught in Laitinen et al., 2005, A multi-purpose vector system . . . , Nucleic Acids Research, vol. 33, no. 4, which is incorporated by reference herein.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Delivery/Expression of Fermentation Associated Molecules in Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius

Nucleic acids encoding enzymes involved in the fermentation of sugars (i.e., glucose, xylose, galactose, arabinose, mannose, etc.) to products are provided to and subsequently expressed in Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius using conventional molecular cloning techniques. Nucleic acids to be provided include those nucleic acids encoding for the proteins involved in the pathways that convert sugars to a product (FAMs). A non-exhaustive list of these proteins include: hexokinase I, hexokinase II, glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, phosphofructokinase, aldolase, triosephosphate isomerase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, phosphoglycerate mutase, enolase, enolase I, pyruvate decarboxylase, citrate synthase, aconitase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, fumarase, xylose reductase, xylitol dehydrogenase, xylulokinase, phosphoketolase, lactate dehydrogenase, acetyl-CoA-acetyl transferase, β-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, crotonase, butyryl CoA dehydrogenase, phosphobutyrylase, butyrate kinase, and alcohol dehydrogenase. The FAMs may comprise nucleic acids from a wide variety of organisms that use fermentation pathways. Some non-limiting examples of these organisms include: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast); Clostridium thermocellum; Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum; a variety of Bacillus species (i.e., B. subtilis, B. thermoamylovorans, B. stearothermophilus, B. granulobacter, B. pectinovorum, B. halodurans, and/or so forth); Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius; Clostridium thermolacticum; Trichoderma reesei; Moorella thermoautotrophica; Moorella thermoacetica; Streptococcus (Lactobacillus) thermophilus; and/or those found at any of the web sites or institutions listed herein.

Example 1(a) Delivery of FAMs Via a Transpososome

A transpososome is constructed to include nucleic acids encoding proteins involved in fermentation of sugars, or FAMs. Included in the transpososome are the nucleic acids necessary for insertion of the transposon, copies of the MuA transposase, Mu transposon ends, and provision for expression of the FAMs included in the transpososome in the particular organism in which they are to be utilized. Transpososomes may also be constructed using sequences and elements optimized for use in gram-positive bacteria. See, Pajunen et al., Microbiology (2005) 151, 1209-1218. Conventional techniques may be used to construct the transpososome. Additionally, the construction and/or insertion of desired nucleic acids into transpososomes is well known in the art, see, Pajunen et al. It is contemplated that multiple transpososomes may be constructed with FAMs and may include a variety of promoters, enhancers that may function to enhance and/or regulate expression of FAMs.

Once constructed, the transpososomes are introduced into Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius. Transpososome constructs may be introduced into A. acidocaldarius by electroporation, and so forth. Such techniques are known in the art and are detailed in Sambrook J. C., E. F. Fritsch, and T. Maniatas, 1989. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, N.Y., pp. 6.3-6.34; or Sambrook and Russell, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (3-Volume Set), 3^(rd) ed. (available online at molecularcloning.com/); both references incorporated by reference herein.

Example 2 Delivery/Expression of Hydrolysis Associated Molecules into an Organism Able to Ferment Sugar to Ethanol

Nucleic acids encoding enzymes involved in the hydrolysis, or breakdown, of lignocellulosic materials (i.e., biomass, cellulose, hemicellulose, etc.) to simpler sugars (Hydrolysis Associated Molecules (HAMs)) are genetically introduced by conventional molecular cloning techniques into organisms that ferment sugars to ethanol and subsequently expressed therein. HAMs to be provided include those nucleic acids coding for the proteins involved in the pathways that break down or hydrolyze cellulose, hemicellulose, etc., to more simple sugar molecules. A non-exhaustive list of these proteins include: esterases of the alpha-beta hydrolase superfamily; alpha-beta hydrolase; alpha-glucosidases; alpha-xylosidase; alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase; altronate hydrolase; a cellulose/endoglucanase; a cellulase/endoglucanase; a polygalacturonase; an alpha-galactosidase; a cellobiose phosphorylase; a glycogen debranching enzyme; an acetyl esterase/acetyl hydrolase; a beta-1,4-xylanase; a cinnamoyl ester hydrolase; a carboxylesterase type B; a beta-galactosidase/beta-glucuronidase; a xylan alpha-1,2-glucuronidase; a 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA hydrolase; a beta-glucosidase B-related glycosidase; and/or a chitooligosaccharide deacetylase, or as described herein. The HAMs may comprise nucleic acids from a wide variety of organisms that are able to hydrolyze and/or break down lignocellulosic material to more simple sugar molecules.

Example 2(a) Delivery of HAMs Via a Transpososome

A transpososome is constructed to include nucleic acids encoding proteins involved in hydrolysis or breakdown of lignocellulosic polymers, or HAMs. Included in the transpososome are the nucleic acids necessary for insertion of the transposon, copies of the MuA transposase, Mu transposon ends, and provision for expression of the HAMs included in the transpososome in the particular organism in which they are to be utilized. Transpososomes may also be constructed using sequences and elements optimized for use in gram-positive bacteria. See, Pajunen et al., Microbiology (2005) 151, 1209-1218. Conventional techniques may be used to construct the transpososome. Additionally, the construction and/or insertion of desired nucleic acids into transpososomes is well known in the art, see, Pajunen et al. It is contemplated that multiple transpososomes may be constructed with HAMs and may include a variety of promoters, enhancers that may function to enhance and/or regulate expression of HAMs.

Once constructed, the transpososomes are introduced into an organism that is able to ferment and/or convert sugar molecules to a product. A non-exhaustive list of potential organisms include: Clostridium thermocellum; Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum; a variety of Bacillus species (i.e., B. subtilis, B. thermoamylovorans, B. stearothermophilus, B. granulobacter, B. pectinovorum, B. halodurans, and/or so forth); and/or those described herein. The transpososome HAM constructs may be introduced into the organism by any technique known in the art, such as, but not limited to, electroporation, and so forth. Such techniques are known in the art and are detailed in Sambrook J. C., E. F. Fritsch, and T. Maniatas, 1989. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, N.Y, p. 6.3-6.34; or Sambrook and Russell, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (3-Volume Set), 3′ ed. (available online at molecularcloning.com/); both references incorporated by reference herein.

Example 2(b) Recombination/Integration of Hydrolysis Associated Molecules into Genome of Organism Able to Ferment Sugar to Ethanol

One or more HAMs are integrated into the genome of an organism that is able to ferment and/or convert sugar molecules to a product. A transpososome is made that includes the HAMs and contains sequences for promoting the integration of the included HAM(s) into the genome. The transpososome construct may be any type and/or kind of transpososome construct known in the art, such that the transpososome construct assists in the integration of the one or more HAMs into a host genome. Such transpososome may include Mu based transpososomes or the like.

Example 3 Transformation/Expression of Hydrolysis Associated Molecules and Fermentation Associated Molecules in an Organism

Both HAMs and FAMs are expressed in a suitable organism. The HAMs and FAMs to be expressed include any and/or all of the Hydrolysis or Fermentation Associated Molecules as described herein.

Example 3(a) Transformation of Hydrolysis Associated Molecules and Fermentation Associated Molecules Using a Transpososome

One or more transpososomes are constructed including HAMs and/or FAMs. Similar to Example 1 and Example 2, included in each of the transpososomes are the nucleic acids necessary for insertion and expression of the nucleic acids in the transpososome. Included in the transpososome are the nucleic acids necessary for insertion of the transposon, copies of the MuA transposase, Mu transposon ends, and provision for expression of the nucleic acids contained in the transpososome in the particular organism in which they are to be utilized. Transpososomes may also be constructed using sequences and elements optimized for use in gram-positive bacteria. See, Pajunen et al., Microbiology (2005) 151, 1209-1218. Conventional techniques may be used to construct the transpososome. Additionally, the construction and/or insertion of desired nucleic acids into transpososomes is well known in the art, see, Pajunen et al. It is contemplated that multiple transpososomes may be constructed with the HAMs and FAMs, and may include a variety of promoters and/or enhancers that may function to enhance expression of HAMs and/or FAMs.

Once constructed, the transpososomes are introduced into a target organism. Some non-limiting examples of potential organisms include E. coli, any type and/or kind of thermophilic bacteria (e.g., Sulfolobus, Thermoproteus, etc.), and/or so forth. The transpososome constructs may be introduced into the organism by any technique known in the art, or as described herein.

Example 3(b) Integration of Hydrolysis and Fermentation Associated Molecules into Genome of Organisms

One or more FAMs and/or HAMs are integrated into the genome of A. acidocaldarius. A transpososome is made that includes FAMs and/or HAMs and contains sequences for promoting the integration of the included FAMs and/or HAMs into the genome. The transpososome may be any type and/or kind of transpososome construct known in the art, such that the transpososome assists in the integration of the one or more FAMs and/or HAMs into a host genome. Such transpososomes may include Mu based transpososomes or the like.

All references, including publications, patents, and patent applications, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

While this invention has been described in certain embodiments, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Example 4 RAAC02661: A Xylan Alpha-Glucuronidase

Provided in SEQ ID NO:336 is a nucleotide sequence isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaidarius and encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:337. As can be seen in FIGS. 21A-21D, SEQ ID NO:337 aligns well with other proteins identified as xylan alpha-glucuronidases. Of particular importance, it is noted that where amino acids are conserved in other xylan alpha-glucuronidases, those amino acids are generally conserved in SEQ ID NO:337. Thus, the polypeptide provided in SEQ ID NO:337 is properly classified as a xylan alpha-glucuronidase.

The polypeptides of SEQ NOs:348-352 are representative examples of conservative substitutions in the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:337 and are encoded by the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOs:343-347, respectively.

The nucleotide sequences of SEQ NOs:336 and 343-347 are placed into expression vectors using techniques standard in the art. The vectors are then provided to cells such as bacteria cells or eukaryotic cells such as Sf9 cells or CHO cells. In conjunction with the normal machinery present in the cells, the vectors comprising SEQ ID NOs:336 and 343-347 produce the polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs:337 and 348-352. The polypeptides of SEQ II) NOs:337 and 348-352 are then isolated and/or purified. The isolated and/or purified polypeptides of SEQ NOs:337 and 348-352 are then demonstrated to have activity as xylan alpha-glucuronidases.

The isolated and/or purified polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs:337 and 348-352 are challenged with polysaccharides, lignocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, chitin, polyhydroxybutyrate, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, and/or mannan-decorating groups. The isolated and/or purified polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs:337 and 348-352 are demonstrated to have activity in at least partially degrading, cleaving, and/or removing polysaccharides, lignocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, chitin, polyhydroxybutyrate, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, and/or mannan-decorating groups.

Example 4(a) Production and Purification of RAAC02661

The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 337 was cloned from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius. SEQ ID NO:336 encodes the polypeptide of SEQ NO:337. SEQ ID NO:336 was cloned into the pBAD/HIS A expression vector for E. coli and provided to E. coli via electroporation. Expression of SEQ ID NO:337 was detected from transformed E. coli comprising SEQ NO:336 and RAAC02661 was affinity purified using a cobalt resin for activity testing.

Example 4(b) α-Glucuronidase (AGUR) Activity of RAAC02661

RAAC02661 purified from E. coli was tested for XYL activity using an assay summarized as follows:

A solution of aldouronic acids (AUAs) was created by diluting 50 μL of a mixture of aldotetraouronic acid, aldotriouronic acid and aldobiouronic acid (40:40:20; Aldouronic Acid Mixture, Megazyme Cat. No. O-AMX) with 1.95 mL of an appropriate buffer at 50 mM for pHs ranging from 1 to 9. Butlers included maleic acid (pH 1.0-2.0), Glycine HCl (pH 3.0), sodium acetate (pH 3.5-5.0), sodium phosphate (pH 6.0-8.0), Tris-HCl (pH 9.0), and CAPS buffer (pH 10.0).

Samples of purified RAAC02661 generated in Example 38 were diluted to an appropriate concentration for activity measurement in the appropriate buffer at 50 mM for pHs ranging from 1 to 10. Samples (RAAC02661 samples and positive controls) were placed in the wells of a 96-well plate in 10 μL aliquots. Blanks of buffer only were placed in some wells. AUA solution, preheated to 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 degrees Celsius, was then added to each well and the plate was incubated at 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 degrees Celsius for 3 minutes. Dinitrosalicylic acid solution was then added to each well and the plate was further incubated at 80 degrees Celsius for an additional 10 minutes. The AGUR activity was measured using a 96-well plate reader (Molecular Devices UV-Vis) at a wavelength of 540 nm. Specific activity for RAAC02661 as determined appears in FIG. 2.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

-   Garrote, G., H. Dominguez, and J. C. Parajo, 2001, Manufacture of     xylose-based fermentation media from corncobs by posthydrolysis of     autohydrolysis liquors, Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol., 95:195-207. -   Hamelinck, C. N., G. van Hooijdonk, and A. P. C. Faaij, 2005,     Ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass: techno-economic performance in     short-, middle-, and long-term, Biomass Bioenergy, 28:384-410. -   Laitinen et al., 2005, A Multipurpose Vector system for the     screening of libraries in bacteria, insect and mammalian cells and     expression in vivo, Nucleic Acids Research 33(4). -   Liu C., and C. E. Wyman, 2003, The effect of flow rate of compressed     hot water on xylan, lignin, and total mass removal from corn stover,     Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 42:5409-5416. -   Lynd et al., 2002, Micro. and Mol. Biol. Rev., vol. 66, No. 3, pp.     506-577. -   Sambrook J. C., E. F. Fritsch, and T. Maniatas, 1989. Molecular     Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory     Press, N.Y, pp. 6.3-6.34. -   Sambrook and Russell, 2001, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual     (3-Volume Set), 3^(rd) ed. (available online at     molecularcloning.com/). -   Ng et al., 1981, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 41(6):     1337-1343. -   Tsao, G. T., M. R. Ladisch, and H. R. Bungay, 1987. Biomass     Refining, In Advanced Biochemical Engineering, Wiley Interscience,     N.Y., pp. 79-101. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A genetically modified bacterial or fungal organism, the genetically modified organism comprising: at least one exogenous nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and encoding a polypeptide having at least 90% homology to SEQ ID NO:337 and wherein the peptide has alpha-glucuronidase activity.
 2. The genetically modified organism of claim 1, wherein the at least one exogenous nucleic acid from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius is integrated into the host organism's genome.
 3. The genetically modified organism of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide has alpha-glucuronidase activity at or above fifty degrees Celsius.
 4. The genetically modified organism of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:337.
 5. The genetically modified organism of claim 1, wherein the at least one exogenous nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius has at least 90% homology to SEQ ID NO:336.
 6. The genetically modified organism of claim 1, wherein the at least one exogenous nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius is SEQ ID NO:336.
 7. A method for at least partially processing hemicellulose into a product, the method comprising: contacting a liquid culture medium of the genetically modified organism of claim 1 with hemicellulose, wherein the liquid culture medium comprises the polypeptide having alpha-glucuronidase activity.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the contacting occurs at or above fifty degrees Celsius.
 9. A method of producing a product from biomass, the method comprising: pretreating the biomass with an acid; enzymatically hydrolyzing cellulose and hemicellulose in the biomass to produce monomeric sugars and concurrently fermenting the monomeric sugars to a product; and recovering the product, wherein at least a portion of the hydrolyzing of cellulose and hemicellulose or the fermentation is performed by the genetically modified organism of claim
 1. 10. A method of producing a product from biomass, the method comprising: pretreating the biomass with an acid; enzymatically hydrolyzing cellulose and hemicellulose in the biomass to produce monomeric sugars; fermenting the monomeric sugars to a product; and recovering the product, wherein at least a portion of the hydrolyzing of cellulose and hemicellulose or the fermentation is performed by the genetically modified organism according to claim 1, and wherein the pretreatment, the hydrolyzing of cellulose and hemicellulose, and the fermentation are performed concurrently.
 11. A method of processing biomass, the method comprising: treating the biomass with an acid and concurrently enzymatically hydrolyzing cellulose and hemicellulose in the biomass to produce monomeric sugars, wherein at least a portion of the hydrolyzing of cellulose and hemicellulose is performed by the genetically modified organism of claim
 1. 